Skip navigation

Travelling & Living Overseas

North and Central America and Caribbean

Dominica, Commonwealth of Flag of Dominica, Commonwealth of

Still current at: 08 January 2009
Updated: 29 October 2008

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary.  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)                    

Travel advice for this country

See entire profile

Travel Summary

  • The hurricane season in Dominica normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates.  See the Natural Disasters (Hurricanes) section of this advice and Hurricanes page for more details.

  • The hurricane season in the Dominica normally runs from June to November.  You should monitor local and international weather updates.  See the Natural Disasters (Hurricanes) section of this advice and  Tropical Cyclones for more details.
  • There is no British High Commission in Dominica.  For emergency consular assistance you should telephone the British Honorary Consul ((767) 255 3116).  Alternatively, you can contact the British High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados.
  • There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  • Around 5,000 British nationals visited Dominica in 2006 (Source: Dominican Immigration).  Most visits to Dominica are trouble‑free.  We are not aware of any  British nationals who required consular assistance in the Commonwealth of Dominica in 2007, but you should be aware that cases of robbery and other crimes do occur.
  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism
 
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  
 
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
 
Crime
 
Cases of robbery and other crimes do occur.  You should take sensible precautions and be vigilant at all times.  Avoid isolated areas, including beaches after dark.  Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery.  Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.
 
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
   
Political Situation
 
Dominica Country Profile
 
Local Travel 
 
Road Travel
 
Motorists drive on the left in Dominica.  Most roads are paved but driving can be difficult due to blind corners, and poor road surfaces lacking grip. Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour and although there is no enforced limit in rural areas, you should take extra care.   Outside of the capital and larger towns roads are unlit, so driving at night can be extremely hazardous. Hurricane Dean struck Dominica on16 August 2007, causing landslides in parts of the island. The main road from Melville Hall airport was affected, and caution should be exercised when driving on this road, parts of which have sheer drops where the road has fallen away. Driving on this road at night is not recommended as road signs warning of landslides are not visible. Road signs are poor and a map is essential.  Pedestrians walk on the roads because of a lack of pavements.   In the event of an accident, stop your vehicle and call the police.
 
For more general information see Driving Abroad. 
 
Air Travel
 
You will have to pay a departure tax when leaving Dominica of 54 East Caribbean Dollars (for each traveller aged 12 years or older).  The equivalent in US dollars is accepted.

Local laws and customs

There are severe penalties for all drug offences.  Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through Customs for anyone else.
 
You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
 
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas
British Passport holders do not require visas to visit Dominica and can stay in the country for up to six months.

Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Office of the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Passport Validity

Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
 
Return Air Ticket
 
You must hold a return air ticket.  If you fail to do so, you may be refused entry to Dominica.
 
Foot and mouth disease
 
You are banned from bringing meat products into Dominica from the United Kingdom in your personal luggage.

Health

Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region.  There are, at present, four confirmed cases of dengue in Dominica.  

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Dominica and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the  NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health. 

Natural disasters


Hurricanes
 
Hurricane Dean passedover to Dominica on 17 August 2007, causing some damage to hotels andother infrastructure.  Hotel repairs have now been completed butuntreated landslides have caused some road disruption in the interiorof the island.  Drivers should exercise caution, particularlyon the stretch of road from Melville Hall airport to the capital,Roseau.
 
The hurricane season in the Caribbeannormally runs from June to November.  You should monitor local andinternational weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see  Tropical Cyclones.
 
Earthquakes
 
Dominicais susceptible to periodic earth tremors.  In November 2004 anearthquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale affected the island.  Thiscaused widespread damage to buildings in the north of the island. There were no casualties.  Heavy rains at the same time causedlandslides.  In February 2005 a further earthquake measuring 5.5 on theRichter scale affected the island.  There were no reports of damage.
 
Anearthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale hit just off the coast ofMartinique on 29 November 2007.  The earthquake was felt throughout theregion but there were no reports of injury or major damage to property.

General

Insurance
 
We strongly recommend you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which includes medical evacuation by air ambulance, before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
 
Passports
 
Keep a copy of the photopage of your passport and relevant entry stamp in case your documents are stolen.
 
In the event of loss of your passport, you will need to apply to the Passport Office at the British High Commission, Barbados for a replacement.  The British Honorary Consul in Dominica can advise you how to do this.  Urgent applications can be speeded up if you pay courier costs, but even so, the issue of a replacement passport could still take several days.

Travel advice for this country

See entire profile

Change country

contacts

Dominica, Roseau, British Honorary Consulate

Address:

Office of the Honorary British Consul
c/o Cable & Wireless Dominica Ltd
Hanover Street
P O Box 6
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica

Telephone:

(1) (767) 255 3116

Fax:

(1) (767) 448 1110

Email: nabeel.bhatti@cwdom.cwplc.com

Office hours:

 


 

Sign-up for travel alerts

Subscribe to receive email alerts for the country of your choice